PATRIOTISM AND GAMBLING

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 164, 1 April 1918, Page 2

PATRIOTISM AND GAMBLING

DISCUSSION AT EED CROSS MEETING. At a meeting df the Victorian division of.the Red Cross Society held recently in Melbourne, Mr. E. C. Rigby asked the Governor, Sir Arthur Stanley, who presided, whether it would he possible for the divisional committee to place any limitation on the gambling at present being indulged in to rniso funds for Red Cross purposes. He spoke because a number of ladies present were anxious for a pronouncement on the subject. There was so much gambling indulged in to-day that it had seriously affected the young people of the ■ community, and latterly the craze had descended to gambling for £1 notes as well as for every other conceivable object. ' Sir Arthnr Stanley said it was a very delicate and difficult question to solve. The divisional committee had followed the policy of giving the greatest latitude to the branches, and had done its best to avoid giving mandatory directions. Any Red Cross branch that cboso to exclude gambling from its methods a? raising money was quite welcome to do so. _ The only way for tbe divisional committee to make a pronouncement would be for someone to give the usual notice of motion, which would bo brought Tip for discussion at the following meeting. Otherwise it would not be quite proper for the divisional committee to speak mandntorily upon it. The only thing he could say wan that the divisional committee itself had refused to conduct any kind of lottery, although it had been offered every sort of thing' for the purpose, from a block'of land to a diamond necklnce. Still, it was a matter of common knowledge that lotteries had taken place everywhere, so the committee perhaps could not take any credit to itself. Possibly it might be wisest to leave freedom to local committees to settle the question for themselves. Mr. Ripby said the great appeal for the Rod Cross would be over before the next divisional committee meeting took place. Could a spec'M meeting be lipid to discuss the problem? Sir Arthur Stanley read from the con. stitution the fact that it was competent for ten members to ask for a special meeting, which must he advertised, together with the purpose for which it was requisitioned, and that the meeting could not take place earlier than seven dnyß after the advertisement.

The Lord Mayor (Councillor Stapley) asked whether it would riot' lie better to leave tlie question to the good taste of the branches. He thought the committee would not dream of "turning down" a good fat cheque from, say, the V.R.C. It was largely a question of rrood taste and judgment. Many Bed Cross branches already "turned down" gambles, but those formed practically the onlv way of disposing of articles, that could not bo sold otherwise. ■ Tho clement of chance appealed largely to 'so many people. After the meeting Mr. Rigby said the question bad become °o vital that he would endeavour to feu the necessary signatures to convene a special meeting. Mrs. Graeme Watwn, who has been staying with Mrs. Watson, The Terrace, has left to spend a "holiday in Sydney. Thfe Misses Goldie, of Auckland, are visiting Ghristchurch. \ , , Tho committee of ths iKing George and Queen Mary., Clubs have latoly expressed their appreciation and gratitudo for the steady way in which most of tho voluntary helpers have "carried on" during the full-moon periods, states the "Victoria League Notes." It is wonderful how little the ordinary routine of the clubs has been dislocated by the sir raids. It is difficult to imagine how the respective managers would have surmounted their difficulties if they had not been able to count ou so much common-senso and steadiness from the voluntary helpers, and— no less—from the paid workers. A SPECIAL OFFER. m'ATMENTSITBOM Mβ. 6d. These treatments for hair and ekiu have been given successfully by Miss Milsom for the past 17 years. They are original and patont, just dirtnent perhaps from what you may think, but results have been achieved because her methods have been tried and proved. Whether you call or receive treatment per post your case receives her personal attention. Distance ie no bar. Place yourself in the hande of an expert and then decide whether you follow the advice or not. It is the original Miss Mileora treatment, and ie no experiment. All preparations mailed promptly. Hair and hairwork, the beet, lightest, and latest. Miss Mileom, M Willis Street (opp. Shortt'e Picture Theatre). 'Phone 811.—Advt.